Ngati Ruanui applies to join iron sand mining appeal

Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui Trust has applied to the High Court to join Trans Tasman Resources appeal against the decision to reject its application to mine iron sands off the south Taranaki coast.

In June the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declined Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) application to mine Iron sands off Patea.

Trust CEO Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said Ngati Ruanui was bitterly disappointed that TTR is appealing the EPA decision.

"At the EPA hearing we outlined cultural and environmental concerns and expressed concern at TTR’s poor consultation.

"We were particularly concerned at TTR’s inability to provide any robust evidence about the mining impacts and the quarry under the sea they were going to create.

"We believe the EPA made the correct decision," Mrs Packer said.